New York-- Nike Inc. says it has pulled from the market T-shirts emblazoned with the words "Boston Massacre" in the aftermath of last week's bombing during the Boston Marathon that killed three people and left dozens injured.

The athletic company says Monday it took immediate action to remove the products that were sold primarily at its factory store outlets and is confident that the product "has been removed from distribution."

The shirts, which featured blood-splattered lettering, were designed for New York Yankees fans.

The "Boston Massacre" phrase has been used to describe a pivotal late-season sweep by the Yankees of the rival Boston Red Sox in 1978. That season culminated in a World Series championship for the Yankees.